INTRODUCTORY
This history of Story County, Iowa, is based on a pretty thorough knowledge of the county and the people, and may be relied on in the main. Many years ago the writer hereof was acquainted with nearly all the first settlers of our county, and has seen much of its features. By the assistance of many of these first settlers, scattered over the county, I am enabled to give such circumstances and items as occurred from time to times connected with the official records of the county and Col. John Scott's historical address made on July 4, 1876, at Nevada. This address is one of special interest to the citizens of Story County ; the most valuable Fourth of July address ever made in our county.
The grumblers of hard times now should surely profit by reading up the early history of Story County and learn what hard times mean. All citizens of their respective counties should be interested in a history of their county—an account of affairs at home—if they have any interest in knowing the particulars and hardships of the past compared with our prosperous present. This history will tell you what you know—what you don't know, and what you ought to know. Very Truly,
NEVADA, Iowa, March 1, 1887. Wm. G. ALLEN.